Sharpening the Heart, Body, Soul, and Mind with the Joy of the Lord
These days during COVID-19 pandemic, the repercussions of reopening church doors, restaurants, businesses, and malls, police killings, anti-racist letters and campaigns, and Black Lives Matter protest where is the joy?
Where is the joy that sustains us? The joy that reminds us we are allowed to laugh, to dance, and to celebrate? The psalmist says when anxiety fills his mind, cares burden his heart, itis the Lords’ comfort that brings him joy (Psalm 94:19).
I don’t know about you, but these days, I’m more suspicious than I should be. I read anti-racist letters, and I wonder this a fad, the latest trend soon to disappear until the next something happens and people need to feel guiltless?
When I go shopping for groceries, I’m disheartened at the disregard for wearing masks and social distancing. Where is respect for a virus without a vaccine and expectations of a second wave?
I already know part of my new normal is staying in more than going out. I’ve missed two protests in my area; now more than ever, I’m not a fan of crowds. I’m not a fan of outdoor crowds or social media crowds. Both are overloaded with things that can deplete my joy.
Complaining, for instance, is a real joy-killer. When we complain we express our dissatisfaction, our uneasiness about a situation. Recently, I sent an email of complaint. At the end of the email, I apologized for complaining, because I did not want to seem bitter or ungrateful. I also didn’t want this situation to minimize my joy.
The COVID-19 pandemic and systemic racism epidemic can leave us complaining, endlessly. We can protest, criticize, moan, and groan, but with each complaint, our bank of joy will diminish, like depleting our bank account. A zero balance offers us nothing.
So, for me, my joy amid the crisis is staying focused on solutions instead of problems, being grateful, and humble. I focus on what I am capable of accomplishing. I’m doing my best to love more, read more, and spend more time talking with God in prayer, in my diary, or while cooking dinner. I enjoy a robust glass of red wine and freshly baked bread like the psalmist says, “God makes grass grow for the cattle, and plants for the people to cultivate—bringing forth food from the earth: wine that gladdens human hearts, oil to make their faces shine, and bread that sustains their hearts” (Psalm 104:14-15 NIV).
Where is my joy in the time of crisis? Conversations with my mother, video chats with my daughters, date night on the balcony with my husband, and a ladies’ night on Zoom.
In the midst of the crisis, where is my joy? My Joy is with and from the Lord. 1 Thessalonians 5:16 says: “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
What about you: where is your joy during the crisis?
Until next time,
Angela
A couple of months ago i had no joy. I watching the news and putting my trust and hope in what I saw, the whole world infested, not enough of anything to accommodate any one, people dying, if you get sick no medication. I was lead to the Old Testament books where when the people decided to do there own thing, disobey God He Allowed all kinds of unpleasant things to happen even death. After reading and studying the word I believe that God is trying to get our attention like He did to His people in the Old Testament. Now I have more joy, praying, watching and believing that God is going to deliver his people. However I have the question how long?